Dean John Colet of St. Paul's: Humanism and Reform in Early Tudor England (International Library of Historical Studies, 49)

"This is an important and original biography of John Colet, the leading humanist theologian in early Tudor England and the founder of St Paul's School in London. Taken at face value, the facts of John Colet's life, spanning the late 15th and early 16th centuries, appear to portray a successful, humanist clerical reformer, active in London on the eve of the English Reformation. In fact, as a cleric, John Colet was neither successful nor a reformer, nor were the reforms he attempted particularly welcome. His greatest achievement, and lasting legacy, was the foundation of his school. Thus, in the sphere of Christian humanist education, Colet was a success. However, in all his dealings, Colet considered the spiritual life to be of paramount importance and his ultimate aim was the deification of sinful humanity, not just for a few exceptional individuals, but for the entire Church. In this respect, Colet's ecclesiastical vision did not effect any significant change in the early sixteenth-century Church, although it nevertheless pointed to the possibility of a more spiritual, unified and holy Church. Colet was a passionate and pious man who does not fall easily into any historical, intellectual or ecclesiastical category. Ultimately, he escapes identification with any other set of contemporaneous idealists because his vision was his own. This study offers a timely re-assessment of the life of a complex religious figure of pre-Reformation England."--Bloomsbury Publishing. Annotation. This is an important and original biography of John Colet, the leading humanist theologian in early Tudor England and the founder of St Paul's School in London. Taken at face value, the facts of John Colet's life, spanning the late 15th and early 16th centuries, appear to portray a successful, humanist clerical reformer, active in London on the eve of the English Reformation. In fact, as a cleric, John Colet was neither successful nor a reformer, nor were the reforms he attempted particularly welcome. His greatest achievement, and lasting legacy, was the foundation of his school. Thus, in the sphere of Christian humanist education, Colet was a success. However, in all his dealings, Colet considered the spiritual life to be of paramount importance and his ultimate aim was the deification of sinful humanity, not just for a few exceptional individuals, but for the entire Church. In this respect, Colet's ecclesiastical vision did not effect any significant change in the early sixteenth-century Church, although it nevertheless pointed to the possibility of a more spiritual, unified and holy Church. & nbsp;Colet was a passionate and pious man who does not fall easily into any historical, intellectual or ecclesiastical category. Ultimately, he escapes identification with any other set of contemporaneous idealists because his vision was his own. This study offers a timely re-assessment of the life of a complex religious figure of pre-Reformation England Taken At Face, Value, The Facts Of John Colet's Life Appear To Portray A Successful, Humanist Clerical Reformer, Active In London On The Eve Of The English Reformation. Born In 1467 Into A Wealthy Background, He Absorbed Many Humanist Ideas While Travelling In Italy And Enjoyed A Successful Career In The Church Before In 1505 He Became Dean Of St. Paul's Cathedral. There He Attempted A Series Of Reforms And, In 1509, Established His Famous School, Which Still Exists. This Study Offers A Timely Reassessment Of The Life Of A Complex Religious Figure Of Pre-reformation England.--book Jacket. The Early Years -- In Search Of Perfection : Colet's Written Works -- Reform I : St. Paul's Minor Clergy In 1506 -- London Life : The Mercers And St. Paul's School -- Preaching To The Converted : Colet's Convocation Sermon Of 1511/12 -- Preaching And Controversy : The King, The Bishop And The Cardinal, 1512-15 -- Reform Ii : Colet's Final Reform Efforts Of 1518. Jonathan Arnold. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [229]-253) And Index. Contents......Page 7 Acknowledgements......Page 8 Conventions......Page 9 Introduction......Page 10 1. The Early Years......Page 26 2. In Search of Perfection: Colet's Written Works......Page 39 3. Reform I: St Paul's Minor Clergy in 1506......Page 74 4. London Life: The Mercers and St. Paul's School......Page 97 5. Preaching to the Converted: Colet's Convocation Sermon of 1511/12......Page 117 6. Preaching and Controversy: The King, the Bishop and the Cardinal, 1512-15......Page 145 7. Reform II: Colet's Final Reform Effort of 1518......Page 166 Conclusion......Page 187 Abbreviations......Page 195 Notes......Page 196 Bibliography......Page 238 Index......Page 263